Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We adopted e-consults within an active referral management (ARM) process for our Veterans Health Administration (VHA) outpatient cardiology clinic to reduce clinic wait times. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective multiphase cohort study. METHODS: Our ARM process consisted of reviewing all incoming consult requests for our outpatient clinic and triaging the requests to either an e-consult or a clinic visit. The primary outcome was wait time for an appointment in our clinic. RESULTS: Median wait time prior to the ARM process was 24 days. After implementation of the ARM process, wait times decreased to 13 days (46% reduction). Approximately 60% of incoming consults could be triaged into e-consults, predominantly by managing stable diseases or minor symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: E-consults and ARM of clinical referrals were effective at reducing wait times for our outpatient VHA cardiology clinic. The majority of clinical referrals could be handled through an e-consult and did not require an in-person clinic visit.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 250-253 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | American Journal of Managed Care |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 5 |
State | Published - 2019 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Policy